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Verified update · Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Vets believe illness came before the fight, not from it

The Ojai Raptor Center's vet team now believes Jackie was already sick before witnesses saw her in a brief ground altercation with two younger eagles last week. In their reading, the illness likely made her vulnerable to that encounter, rather than the fight itself causing her current condition. That lines up with her physical exam, which found no fractures or major wounds. The medical focus stays on her anemia and kidney inflammation, whose root cause is still being worked out.

ABC7 · Jul 22

Right now

Where things stand today

Jackie remains in guarded, critical condition at the Ojai Raptor Center, though the picture is fuller now. She received a life-saving blood transfusion from a donor eagle named Spirit, and a CT scan ruled out cancer, metal objects, and lead poisoning. Her kidney values are improving and she is eating, on her own and with help, though the cause of her anemia is still unknown and things can turn in a moment. At home, Shadow guards the territory, and Sandy and Luna are flying well and visiting the nest daily.

Jackie's live status →

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More of the story

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